The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Second Lieutenant Charles William Shea, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, on 12 May 1944, while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in action near Mount Damiano, Italy. As Second Lieutenant Shea and his company were advancing toward a hill occupied by the enemy, three enemy machineguns suddenly opened fire, inflicting heavy casualties upon the company and halting its advance. Second Lieutenant Shea immediately moved forward to eliminate these machinegun nests in order to enable his company to continue its attack. The deadly hail of machinegun fire at first pinned him down, but, boldly continuing his advance, Second Lieutenant Shea crept up to the first nest. Throwing several hand grenades, he forced the four enemy soldiers manning this position to surrender, and disarming them, he sent them to the rear. He then crawled to the second machinegun position, and after a short fire fight forced two more German soldiers to surrender. At this time, the third machinegun fired at him, and while deadly small arms fire pitted the earth around him, Second Lieutenant Shea crawled toward the nest. Suddenly he stood up and rushed the emplacement and with well-directed fire from his rifle, he killed all three of the enemy machine gunners. Second Lieutenant Shea’s display of personal valor was an inspiration to the officers and men of his company.